Writer: Al Ewing

Art: Joe Bennett, Adam Gorham, Rachael Stott, VC’s Cory Petit, Paul Mounts, Chris O’Halloran, Alex Lins, and Alex Ross

Publisher: MARVEL COMICS

Price: $3.99

Release Date: January 13th, 2021

As the year comes to a close, expenses are tallied by many of the key role players throughout IMMORTAL HULK like Jackie McGee, Eugene Judd, Doc Samson, and even Samuel Sterns. Surprisingly, the Leader’s blueprint to destroy the HULK has worked in what may be his greatest accomplishment ever. However, was that enough? Let’s smash into IMMORTAL HULK #42 by Al Ewing to see if the Leader is the one in control of this plan or if it’s been the One Below All this entire time.

If you’re interested in this comic or any of the others mentioned, simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon.

Normally, when the comic barely has any mention or physical appearance of its namesake, you’d be pretty angry for purchasing that issue. And, that’s kind of the case this week… except I’m not that angry. Sure, the IMMORTAL HULK is barely in this issue. Still, Ewing does a phenomenal job using the side characters to make this series rather fascinating. Picture this issue has sort of a character expansion piece for most of the side characters. Additionally, Ewing uses this installment to dig deeper into Jackie, Gyrich, and the rest of Gamma Flight. And if I could add, I’m loving this new Doc Sasquatch! Hopefully, he sticks around even after this series ends.

However, before IMMORTAL HULK comes to a close this week, readers will also see some interesting developments with the Leader and even his connection to the One Below All. It’s pretty wild! Is it possible that the One Below All has been pulling the strings this entire time? Is it possible that this being has manipulated everything and everyone for its purpose including Brian Banner and Sam Sterns? Were they all just simply pawns this entire time? Well, Ewing peels back the curtain this week and gives HULK fans a taste as to what may be the direction of the last 7-8 issues of the run.

Additionally, I normally spend my time applauding Joe Bennett’s art. Nonetheless, Ewing takes center stage this issue. Plus, it’s Alex Lins, Rachelle Stott, and Adam Gorham who illustrate most of the issue. Now, it’s not bad by any stretch. Nevertheless, it’s missing the horror tones that are normally associated with Bennett’s style… until the last couple of pages anyway. Therefore, the standout performance of IMMORTAL HULK this week falls squarely on Ewing’s shoulders and he smashes it out of the park this week.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ewing spends this issue bringing his other characters along, setting up for the end of his run, and if I could again bring up Doc Samson (Sasquatch), creating some new-ish characters that I would love to see continue after this series concludes. Now, there is certainly little action in this issue. However, the plot development is enormous, well needed, and timely. Plus, I think we are at the precipice of a showdown between the IMMORTAL HULK and the One Below All, which is why this issue was so severely needed. The anticipation is killer and Ewing, like a master chess player, is setting us all up for a big showdown. I, for one, can’t wait to see where this is going. Now, as a single issue, this may not be as action-packed and graphic as we’re used to seeing. Nevertheless, to all those invested in this series, there has developed so much more than the HULK and I for one, like Lover Boy, am loving every minute of it. Pick this up, let me know what you think, and God bless!

9/10